Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the biggest name in the NFL trade rumor mill right now, and it’ll stay that way until a resolution is reached.
Since the Packers’ Week 18 home loss to the Detroit Lions which ended their hopes at reaching the postseason, the NFL world has been waiting an announcement on Rodgers’ playing future. The 39-year-old hasn’t committed to playing in 2023, and if he decides to return, there’s no guarantee he’ll return to Green Bay.
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” earlier this week, the four-time league MVP stated that he’s planning a “darkness retreat” that will hopefully help him make a decision on his future in the NFL.
If Rodgers and the Packers agree that a divorce is the best route, there certainly won’t be a shortage of interested parties. A plethora of teams could use an upgrade at quarterback, including all four clubs in the NFC South.
At NFL Analysis Network, Kenneth Teape proposed an enticing trade scenario that would see the Packers deal Rodgers to the Carolina Panthers, who’ve lacked quality quarterback play since Cam Newton’s last healthy season in 2017:
“The No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft can be included along with No. 62 and 143 this year and a second-round pick in 2024. The 62nd and 143rd pick in this year’s draft is via the San Francisco 49ers from the Christian McCaffrey trade.
The Panthers are certainly an unlikely landing spot for Rodgers, but the front office and ownership should look down every avenue to address their quarterback needs. If the price drops or his market is quieter than anticipated, Carolina could pounce.”
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The Panthers won seven games in 2022 and fell just one game short of capturing the NFC South, despite using three different quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, P.J. Walker and Sam Darnold.
Adding a player like Rodgers would unquestionably make the Panthers the team to beat in the NFC South. But whether or not Rodgers accept a trade to a team that’s several pieces away from contending is another story.
For now, the main focus is on Rodgers’ decision to either return or retire altogether.
